Graphing device and method

ABSTRACT

To display patient information, a computing device receives a set of diagnostic values for a patient, a processor of the computing device compares the set of diagnostic values with a set of predetermined normal values, and a video image is displayed having a graphical depiction of the diagnostic values in comparison to the related normal values. The related set of normal values is displayed at a predetermined region of the video image and the set of diagnostic values is displayed on the video image in relation to the certain region of the normal values. Varying levels of relative health of the patient are indicated according the placement of an icon relative to areas of the graphical depiction of the diagnostic values. The video image is a plurality of concentric circles with the diagnostic values being displayed relatively closer to a center of the display in response to the diagnostic values being relatively closer to the values of the related normal values.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of and is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/762,840 filed Apr. 19, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No.8,392,053, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/955,723, entitled “MULTIDIMENSIONAL VEHICLE HEALTHGRAPHICS,” filed Dec. 13, 2007, both of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a display. More particularly,the present invention relates to a method of displaying information anda display device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Onboard control computers have become prevalent in motor vehicles, butas safety, economy, and emissions requirements have continued totighten, friction braking systems, and traction control devices have notmet the requirements set out in government regulations and the implicitdemands of competitors' achievements. Successive generations of onboardcontrol computers have acquired increasing data sensing and retentioncapability as the electronics have advanced.

Present external diagnostic and display apparatus, known as diagnostictools, are commonly limited to reporting the data acquired by theonboard control computer itself. Increasingly, subtle subsystem failuresin vehicles overload the ability of maintenance technicians, not simplyto read the faults detected and stored by the diagnostic toolsthemselves, but to combine those readings with peripheral measurementsand deduce corrective actions with both speed and accuracy.

Currently in the automotive industry, there are both stand alone andhand-held diagnostic testers or tools used in connection with motorvehicle maintenance and repair. For example, hand-held diagnostic toolshave been used to trouble-shoot faults associated with vehicular controlunits. Diagnostic tools detect faults based on Diagnostic Trouble Codesor DTCs that are set in the vehicle's onboard control computer. A DTCcan be triggered and stored when there is a problem with the vehicle. Atechnician then retrieves the DTC using a diagnostic tool, repairs theassociated problem and then deletes the DTC from the vehicle's computer.

Vehicle diagnostics have also been performed through personal computers.However, the display of such diagnostic information has always beendifficult to read for technicians. Furthermore, technicians have alsoneeded extensive learning in order to read such diagnostic information.

Further general vehicle health information have also be monitoredthrough personal computers, or standalone computing modules that measureinformation related to emission testing. Certain sensors are attached tothe vehicle to make certain measurements related to environmentalemissions or safety related information of the vehicle.

The current diagnostic tools and personal computers used for vehiclediagnostics and vehicle health information are limited in the displayoutput, thus limiting the usefulness of the diagnostic tool for a user.The limits on the current tools output capabilities include, forexample, problems with the method of indicating the DTC, or vehiclehealth information such as the measurement of a certain sensors in thevehicle. The current diagnostic tools show the DTC on a basic displaythat displays the basic information and such information, then must bechecked manually or through additional steps to ascertain whether theinformation is within the normal limits. The user must be in closeproximity and in viewing distance from the diagnostic tool as theinformation is usually text based. For example, when a diagnostic tooldetects a DTC or an emission testing result, a user must directly viewthe tool in order to see the DTC or emission testing readout.

The user of the diagnostic tool can be forced to use additional devicesin order to supplement the limitations of output methods of today'sdiagnostic tools or personal computers used for diagnostic purposes.Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a method and apparatus that willallow enhanced display capabilities to a user or technician to use adiagnostic tool or diagnostic personal computer to determine the outputof the vehicle's health information in a manner that is easy and quickto ascertain whether it is within normal constraints.

Similarly, in the medical industry, conventional displays are oftendifficult to quickly interpret. This problem may be exacerbated whenmultiple diagnostic values are displayed simultaneously on a singledisplay. The alternative of having multiple displays may slowinterpretation time as well as limit how small the display can be made.Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a display device and method ofdisplay that is capable of overcoming the disadvantages described hereinat least to some extent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, in some embodiments, a display deviceand method of display that is capable of overcoming the disadvantagesdescribed herein at least to some extent.

An embodiment of the present invention pertains to a method ofdisplaying information. In this method, a computing device receives aset of diagnostic values for a patient, a processor of the computingdevice compares the set of diagnostic values with a set of predeterminednormal values, and a video image is displayed having a graphicaldepiction of the diagnostic values in comparison to the related normalvalues. The related set of normal values is displayed at a predeterminedregion of the video image and the set of diagnostic values is displayedon the video image in relation to the certain region of the normalvalues. Varying levels of relative health of the patient are indicatedaccording the placement of an icon relative to areas of the graphicaldepiction of the diagnostic values. The video image is a plurality ofconcentric circles with the diagnostic values being displayed relativelycloser to a center of the display in response to the diagnostic valuesbeing relatively closer to the values of the related normal values.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to an apparatus fordisplaying a patient's diagnostic values. The apparatus including acommunication interface, a memory, a processor, a display, and an icon.The communication interface is to receive the diagnostic values. Thememory is to store a set of computer executable instructions fordisplaying of the diagnostic values. The processor is connected to thememory and is configured to execute the set of computer executableinstructions. In response to the set of computer executable instructionsthe processor is configured to compare the diagnostic values with a setof predetermined normal values. The display displays a video imagehaving a graphical depiction of the diagnostic values in comparison tothe normal values. The icon is configured to indicate varying levels ofrelative health of the patient and positioned on the graphical depictionof the diagnostic values. The video image is a plurality of concentriccircles, with the diagnostic values being displayed relatively closer tocenter in response to the diagnostic values being relatively closer tovalues of the related normal values.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention pertains to a system fordisplaying a set of diagnostic values from a patient. The systemincludes a means for receiving, a means for comparing, a means fordisplaying, and an icon. The means for receiving receives the diagnosticvalues. The means for comparing compares the set of diagnostic valueswith a set of predetermined normal values. The means for displayingdisplays a video image having a graphical depiction of the diagnosticvalues in comparison to the normal values. The icon is configured toindicate varying levels of relative health of the patient and positionedon the graphical depiction of the measured set values. The video imageis a plurality of concentric circles with diagnostic values of thepatient being displayed relatively closer to a center of the means fordisplay in response to the diagnostic values being relatively closer invalue to the related normal values.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of theinvention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may bebetter understood, and in order that the present contribution to the artmay be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodimentsof the invention that will be described below and which will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments inaddition to those described and of being practiced and carried out invarious ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for thepurpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptionupon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a diagnostic tool with a display.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the diagnostic tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a diagnostic tool or personal computerconnected to a vehicle for checking the health of a vehicle.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary computer that is capableof displaying the vehicle health graphics.

FIG. 5 is a graph of the vehicle health graphics on a display of acomputing device such as personal computer or diagnostic tool dependingon the selected options.

FIG. 6 is a graph of the vehicle health graphics on a display of acomputing device such as personal computer or diagnostic tool dependingon the selected options.

FIG. 7 is a graph of the vehicle health graphics on a display of acomputing device such as personal computer or diagnostic tool dependingon the selected options.

FIG. 8 is a graph of the vehicle health graphics on a display of acomputing device such as personal computer or diagnostic tool dependingon the selected options.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a system for displaying a set of diagnosticvalues for a patient in accordance with another embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 10 is a graph of the health graphic on a display of a computingdevice such as personal computer or diagnostic tool depending on theselected options according to the embodiment of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawingfigures, in which like reference numerals refer to like partsthroughout. An embodiment in accordance with the present inventionprovides an efficient means of displaying and ascertaining from thedisplay the relative health of a vehicle in relation to normal outputs.This invention proposes a visual health display which permits thetechnician to see at a glance the relative health of a vehicle system,and where the most serious problems are.

Manufacturers have programmed their vehicle onboard computers withcomplicated methods of detecting a variety of problems. Further, theUnited States Environmental Protection Agency has mandated that DTCs beset where there are emissions related problems with the vehicle usingthe Onboard Diagnostic II System, also known as the OBD II system.

However, there are still problems of using the diagnostic tool sincethere are limitations in the output methods of the diagnostic tool orpersonal computer or other computing device used to display thevehicle's health output. A user is forced to look at the display withthe current vehicle health information and then go through additionsteps such as looking through manuals or checking through another menuon the display to ascertain the normal outputs of the vehicle and thenhave to ascertain whether the current outputs are within the normalconstraints.

Normal constraints can be defined for example with a range of acceptableoperation of a vehicle under certain predetermined circumstances. Therange of normal values can be a set of values, for example, for the sametype vehicle when it is functioning under universally acceptablestandards, or under a certain set of standards that are preset by, forexample, by a board. For example, normal constraints for the values canbe set by a vehicle's emission board or according to state law to whatare acceptable measured values.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the diagnostic tool orcomputer will run an application that accommodates a display of imagesthat will relay to the technician in an efficient manner the vehicleshealth information in relation to a base set of data that is consideredthe normal for a healthy vehicle.

An embodiment of the present inventive apparatus is illustrated inFIG. 1. In particular, FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a diagnostictool 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The diagnostic tool10 can be any computing device, for example, the NEMISYS diagnostic toolfrom SERVICE SOLUTIONS (part of the SPX Corporation). The diagnostictool 10 includes a housing 12 to encase the various components of thediagnostic tool 10, such as a display 14, a user interface 16, a powerbutton 18, a memory card reader 20 and a connector interface 22. Thedisplay 14 can be any type display, including for example but notlimited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light emitting diode(OLED), field emission display (FED), electroluminescent display (ELD),etc. In addition, the LCD, for example, can be touch screen that bothdisplays and performs the additional task of interfacing between theuser and the diagnostic tool 10. The user interface 16 allows the userto interact with the diagnostic tool 10, in order to operate thediagnostic tool as the user prefers. The user interface 16 can includefunction keys, arrow keys or any other type of keys that can manipulatethe diagnostic tool 10 in order to operate the diagnostic tool throughthe software. The user interface or input device 16 can also be a mouseor any other suitable input device for the user interface 16, includinga keypad, touchpad, etc. The user interface 16 can also include keyscorrelating to numbers or alphanumeric characters. Moreover, asmentioned above, when the display 14 is touch sensitive, the display 14can supplement or even substitute for the user interface 16. The powerkey or button 18 allows the user to turn the power to the diagnostictool 10 on and off, as required.

A memory card reader 20 can be a single type card reader, such as, butnot limited to, a compact flash card, floppy disk, memory stick, securedigital, flash memory or other type of memory. The memory card reader 20can be a reader that reads more than one of the aforementioned memorysuch as a combination memory card reader. Additionally, the card reader20 can also read any other computer readable medium, such as CD (compactdisc), DVD (digital video or versatile disc), etc.

The connector interface 22 allows the diagnostic tool 10 to connect toan external device, such as, but not limited to, an ECU (electroniccontrol unit) of a vehicle, a computing device, an externalcommunication device (such as a modem), a network, etc. through a wiredor wireless connection. Connector interface 22 can also includeconnections such as a USB (universal serial bus), FIREWIRE (Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394), modem, RS232, RS48J,and other connections to communicate with external devices, such as ahard drive, USB drive, CD player, DVD player, or other computer readablemedium devices.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the components of a diagnostic tool 10. InFIG. 2, the diagnostic tool 10, according to an embodiment of theinvention, includes a processor 24, a field programmable gate array(FPGA) 26, a first system bus 28, the display 14, a complex programmablelogic device (CPLD) 30, the user interface 16 in the form of a keypad, amemory subsystem 32, an internal non-volatile memory (NVM) 34, a cardreader 36, a second system bus 38, the connector interface 22, and aselectable signal translator 42. A vehicle communication interface 40 isin communication with the diagnostic tool 10 through connector interface22 via an external cable. The connection between the vehiclecommunication interface 40 and the connector interface 22 can also be awireless connection such as BLUETOOTH, infrared device, wirelessfidelity (WiFi, e.g. 802.11), etc.

The selectable signal translator 42 communicates with the vehiclecommunication interface 40 through the connector interface 22. Thesignal translator 42 conditions signals received from a motor vehiclecontrol unit through the vehicle communication interface 40 to aconditioned signal compatible with the diagnostic tool 10. Thetranslator 42 can communicate with, for example, the communicationprotocols of J1850 signal, ISO 9141-2 signal, communication collisiondetection (CCD) (e.g., Chrysler collision detection), data communicationlinks (DCL), serial communication interface (SCI), S/F codes, a solenoiddrive, J1708, RS232, controller area network (CAN), or othercommunication protocols that are implemented in a vehicle.

The circuitry to translate a particular communication protocol can beselected by the FPGA 26 (e.g., by tri-stating unused transceivers) or byproviding a keying device that plugs into the connector interface 22that is provided by diagnostic tool 10 to connect diagnostic tool 10 tovehicle communication interface 40. Translator 42 is also coupled toFPGA 26 and the card reader 36 via the first system bus 28. FPGA 26transmits to and receives signals (i.e., messages) from the motorvehicle control unit through the translator 42.

FPGA 26 is coupled to the processor 24 through various address, data andcontrol lines by the second system bus 38. FPGA 26 is also coupled tothe card reader 36 through the first system bus 28. Processor 24 is alsocoupled to the display 14 in order to output the desired information tothe user. The processor 24 communicates with the CPLD 30 through thesecond system bus 38. Additionally, the processor 24 is programmed toreceive input from the user through the user interface 16 via the CPLD30. The CPLD 30 provides logic for decoding various inputs from the userof diagnostic tool 10 and also provides the glue-logic for various otherinterfacing tasks.

Memory subsystem 32 and internal non-volatile memory 34 are coupled tothe second system bus 38, which allows for communication with theprocessor 24 and FPGA 26. Memory subsystem 32 can include an applicationdependent amount of dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a hard drive,and/or read only memory (ROM). Software to run the diagnostic tool 10can be stored in the memory subsystem 32. The internal non-volatilememory 34 can be, but not limited to, an electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash ROM, or other similarmemory. The internal non-volatile memory 34 can provide, for example,storage for boot code, self-diagnostics, various drivers and space forFPGA images, if desired. If less than all of the modules are implementedin FPGA 26, the non-volatile memory 34 can contain downloadable imagesso that FPGA 26 can be reconfigured for a different group ofcommunication protocols.

As seen in the block diagram of FIG. 3, diagnostic tool 10 can scaninformation of a vehicle 60. Vehicle diagnostic and health informationcan be ascertained through not only a computing device such as adiagnostic tool 60, but also a personal computer 52. If the distance isnot too great, the IEEE 802.11 protocol or BLUETOOTH can be used totransfer information directly to the PC in a point-to-point connectionor through a local area network.

Referring to FIG. 4, an example of a computer, but not limited to thisexample of the computer 52, that can read computer readable media thatincludes computer-executable instructions. The computer 52 includes aprocessor 802 that uses the system memory 804 and a computer readablememory device 806 that includes certain computer readable recordingmedia. A system bus connects the processor 802 to a network interface808, modem 812 or other interface that accommodates a connection toanother computer or network such as the Internet. The system bus mayalso include an input and output (I/O) interface 810 that accommodateconnection to a variety of other devices. Furthermore, the computer 52can output through, for example, the I/O 810, data for display on adisplay device 820.

Referring to FIG. 5, for each vehicle there is a set of known good, orin-range, data values, such as engine coolant temperature, oxygensensor, etc. In the present invention, a graphic image as seen in FIG.5, such as a “bull's-eye” target 100, would be displayed as abackground, with an icon 102 a-112 a for each reading of interest 102b-112 b, respectively. The “bull's-eye” target 100 can also be describedas a set of concentric circles.

The icons 102 a-112 a with the corresponding readings 102 b-112 b can besuperimposed on the bulls-eye target 100 image. Further, the icons arelocated in a position that indicates the health of the vehicle 60.

For, example, if an engine temperature was in normal range, an icon forit would be displayed near or at the center of the “bull's-eye” image100. As readings of these data approach the limits of failure, an iconrepresenting the data will appear on a graphic display in a position toindicate that the value is sub-optimal. For example, a high enginetemperature reading might show the temperature icon near the upperboundary of the “bull's-eye”. The location of the icon within the“bull's eye” therefore is indicative of the relative health of thevehicle 60.

Additionally, the icons for sensors can themselves be replaced by iconsfor systems, groups of sensors, etc. The technician, or end-user canselect items to track in this manner, or the selection can be doneautomatically.

The example in FIG. 5 shows readings from a vehicle, as might be seenduring an emissions test. The icons are seen for gasses NO (110 a), O₂(108 a), HC (104 a), CO (106 a) and CO₂ (102 a), and the vehicle's speed(MPH) 112 a while running a test on a dynamometer. The actual valuesshown are not representative of actual values for a vehicle. The reading(102 b-112 b) is the measurement being displayed, such as O₂ (Oxygensensor) or MPH (Dynamometer velocity).

As seen in FIG. 5, there are different zones 120-150. Zones are used todescribe the circular bands, or ranges, of values related to the Idealrange for a given reading. There may be as many zones as needed, or onlya single one. The Ideal zone is in the center or concentric circle 150,while zone 120 at the periphery represent the opposite extreme, such asWorst Case, with surrounding zones 130-140 showing relationships to thecentral zone 150.

A zone does not necessarily represent an exact linear proportion to thewhole circle, but is for visual effect. That is to say, the Ideal zonemay represent a single value, say 0, while the Safe Zone may representvalues from 1 to 100, the Attention zone may represent values from 101to 110, and the Fail zone may represent any value above 110.

Each reading can have its own set of ranges (minimum, maximum, ideal).In the case where the center range (e.g., Ideal) is not the minimum ormaximum value possible, the meter would display the value drifting backinto the outer zones. That is to say, if the Ideal range for a readingis 100, readings of 90 and 110 might both appear in the same outer zonesor might even appear in quite different zones, depending on thequalitative assessment of the value related to the ideal.

Zones may have colors associated with them to differentiate one zonefrom another or to show significance relative to the normal output. Forexample, White can be used for Ideal, Green for Safe, Yellow forAttention and Red for Fail correspond to common color schemes that havea universal significance to a technician without having to use a user'smanual to figure out the significance of each color. Alternatively, thezone's color might not be used to color the zone band, but instead usedto color the pie for a reading.

A pie is used to describe the triangular shapes which emanate from thecenter of the Health Meter to show the extent of the reading, or thezone that the reading is in, or both. Pies also demarcate the portion ofthe visual area occupied by a particular reading. Pies can be coloredwith a separate color for each reading, or can be colored depending uponthe zone that the reading is currently in. Pies can be transparent (asin the attached examples) or opaque.

There are certain displayed options that can be available. The optionsof the test program which demonstrate the “Health Meter” of theinvention as shown in FIG. 5, are seen on the right-hand side, andshould clarify the options seen in the example of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 6, the option 302 of the zone border 204 selectswhether a zone has a bordering line or not. The zone border 204, forexample, depending on the user or the displayed icons will aid in thetechnician ascertaining on which specific border the specific icon isdisplayed on.

As seen in FIG. 6, a pie border 210 option 304 selects whether a pie hasa bordering line or not. A significance can be attached to the pieborder. For example, the pie border can have the significance of ameasurement being taken, or a region having secondary characteristicsbeyond the numerical value shown, such as a reading of 3.0, but thatsuch a reading showed a large change over a space of time. For example,the radius of the pie can be time dependent with readings taken attime=0, can be shown at the top of the pie or readings taken at time=6can be taken at the bottom of the pie. Other significance can beattached to the pie borders 210, and these were only shown as examples.

Referring to FIG. 5, the showing of the color the pies as seen inreference 210 being selected through the “Show Zone Colored Pies” 306different than the color of the other pies, show to the color of thezone that the reading is in. Each color can have certain significance,such as certain colors for certain time dependent readings or otherdefinitions can be attached to the color of the pie.

Referring to FIG. 5, “show icon caption” 308 illustrates the display ofthe value for the reading in a caption adjacent to the icon, as seen forexample by 104 a for HC as 25.0. The units for the measurements can alsobe displayed if requested or pre-programmed. The caption is moved forvisibility purposes when it might be obscured or beyond the viewingarea. Such a movement of the caption can be automatically obtained withthe display.

Referring to FIG. 7, the stretch option 310, illustrates the displayarea being distorted horizontally or vertically with no loss of contentor visual features. This maybe necessary for a plurality of reasons,including having to display more than one image on a screen, andtherefore, being able to stretch the view in any direction in order toaccommodate the second screen, or to compensate for the screen size inorder to maximize the displayed fonts, while allowing for the entireview.

The line to icon option 312 as illustrated by line 214, displays asingle line is drawn from the center of the display area to thereading's position, such as 106 a. The line to icon can, for example,help in the reading or following the different readings for atechnician.

The show pies option 314 as shown by the pie 216 FIG. 6, has the piesfor the readings. The showing of the pies 216 accommodates for atechnician, for example, a greater differentiation between different pieareas, or pie zones, where each pie may have different significances.

The gradient fill option 316 is where the display is shown with‘shading’ from light to dark as seen for example in FIG. 6. This again,allows for an easier reading of the information, especially if atechnician is located a certain distance from the display screen.

The black and white zones option 318, as seen in FIG. 8, has the zonesbeing shown as black and white, as an example of an alternative colorscheme for the zones. Therefore, as seen from zones 120 to 150, thezones alternate from white to black to white and back to black. Theblack portion can be a certain gray scale accommodating for an optimalviewing by the technician. This scheme can accommodate for certaintechnicians a better reading from a distance as they can betterdifferentiate the changes in zones.

Referring to FIG. 8, the “show zone names” option 320 indicates if namesare given to the zones, then they are displayed in the appropriate zone.

A full size pie option 322 is shown in FIG. 8. The pie is drawn to theedge of the display area instead of only to the reach of the value. Thisis done as a preference of the technician on seeing the whole pie oronly to where the reach of the value is shown. Showing the whole pie,for example, can give a better perspective to the technician of thevalue depicted on the chart in relation to the norm. However, forcertain reasons, the technician may not want to see the whole pie, andonly up to the value shown. This can be necessary, for example, if thedisplay is limited, or the values shown need to be shown with a greatermagnification for the technician to see.

The animation option 324 permits the sample shown, for example, FIGS.5-8, to be animated with random values or the animation can show otherchanges in the chart in real-time or delayed time.

The invention can be realized as computer-executable instructions incomputer readable media as shown in FIG. 4. The computer readable mediaincludes all possible kinds of media in which computer readable data isstored or included or can include any type of data that can be read by acomputer or a processing unit. The computer readable media include forexample and not limited to storing media, such as magnetic storing media(e.g., ROMs, floppy disks, hard disk, and the like), optical readingmedia (e.g., CD ROMs (compact disc-read-only memory), DVDs (digitalversatile discs), re-writable versions of the optical discs, and thelike), hybrid magnetic optical disks, organic disks, system memory(read-only memory, random access memory), non-volatile memory such asflash memory or any other volatile or non-volatile memory, othersemiconductor media, electronic media, electromagnetic media, infrared,and other communication media such as carrier waves (e.g., transmissionvia the Internet or another computer). Communication media generallyembodies computer-readable instructions, data structures, programmodules or other data in a modulated signal such as the carrier waves orother transportable mechanism including any information delivery media.Computer-readable media such as communication media may include wirelessmedia such as radio frequency, infrared microwaves, and wired media suchas a wired network. Also, the computer-readable media can store andexecute computer-readable codes that are distributed in computersconnected via a network. The computer readable medium also includescooperating or interconnected computer readable media that are in theprocessing system or are distributed among multiple processing systemsthat may be local or remote to the processing system. The invention caninclude the computer-readable medium having stored thereon a datastructure including a plurality of fields containing data representingthe techniques of the invention.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a system 500 for displaying a set ofdiagnostic values for a patient 502 in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the system 500 isconfigured to collect any suitable diagnostic values from the patient502. Examples of suitable diagnostic values include blood O₂ levels,pulse, temperature, blood pressure, breathing rate, electroencephalogramreadings, electrocardiogram readings, and the like. By way of someparticular examples, blood O₂ may be sensed via a blood O₂ meter 504disposed upon the patient's finger, blood pressure may be sensed via anautomated blood pressure cuff 506, heartbeat information may be sensedby an electrocardiogram sensor 508, electrical activity of the brain maybe sensed by an electroencephalogram sensor 510, and the like. Thesesensors 504-510 sense various attributes of the patient 502 which areconveyed to the computer 52 and displayed on the display 820 asdescribed herein.

FIG. 10 is a screen capture of the display 820 configured to display thediagnostic values according to the embodiment of FIG. 9. As shown inFIG. 10, various diagnostic values may be selected for display. Ifselected, a check mark or other indication may appear in the selectedbox and the associated values may be displayed. As already describedherein, a corresponding icon for each of the diagnostic values may bedisplayed relatively closer to a center of the display 820 in responseto the diagnostic value being relatively close in value to apredetermined normal value. In response to a diagnostic value deviatingfrom its corresponding normal value, the corresponding icon is displayedoutside of the center. The further the diagnostic value deviates fromits corresponding normal value, the further from the center thecorresponding icon is displayed. In this manner, several diagnosticvalues may be quickly and easily interpreted.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from thedetailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claimsto cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, sincenumerous modifications and variations will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to theexact construction and operation illustrated and described, andaccordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resortedto, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of displaying information, comprising:receiving via a computing device a set of diagnostic values for apatient; comparing via a processor of the computing device the set ofdiagnostic values with a set of predetermined normal values; displayingon a display a video image having a graphical depiction of the set ofdiagnostic values in comparison to the set of predetermined normalvalues, with the set of predetermined normal values being displayed in apredetermined region of the video image, and the set of diagnosticvalues being displayed in the video image in relation to thepredetermined region of the set of predetermined normal values; andindicating varying levels of relative health of the patient according toa placement of an icon relative to areas of the graphical depiction ofthe set of diagnostic values, wherein the video image includes the setof diagnostic values being displayed relatively closer to a portion ofthe display in response to the set of diagnostic values being relativelycloser to values of the set of predetermined normal values.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the icon includes a value indicating the setof diagnostic values of a health of the patient.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein the video image further comprises the graphical depiction ofvalues having a dependency on a location within the display to indicatea comparison to the set of predetermined normal values.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the video image is sectioned into a plurality ofconcentric circles with the set of diagnostic values being locatedaccording to the comparison to the set of predetermined normal values,and the plurality of concentric circles being sectioned further into aplurality of subdivisions, with each subdivision representing anadditional dependency on a predetermined variable.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the video image comprises regions of at least one ofcoloring and shading according to a deviation from the set ofpredetermined normal values.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the videoimage comprises different regions divided according to a set range ofdeviations from the set of predetermined normal values.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the video image includes alterations of the video imageaccording to the display of the set of diagnostic values as compared tothe set of predetermined normal values.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the video image includes a plurality of icons representingparticular measured variables of the patient and the set of diagnosticvalues being displayed adjacent to the respective icons, and the iconsand the set of diagnostic values being moved around a concentric circleat a same distance from a center of the concentric circle in order tonot overlap a displayed image of the icon and related diagnostic value.9. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of the method comprise a setof computer executable instructions stored on a computer readable media.10. An apparatus for displaying a patient's diagnostic values,comprising: a communication interface to receive diagnostic values; amemory to store a set of computer executable instructions for displayingof the diagnostic values; a processor connected to the memory and beingconfigured to execute the set of computer executable instructions, inresponse to the set of computer executable instructions, the processorbeing configured to compare the diagnostic values with a set ofpredetermined normal values; a display displaying a video image having agraphical depiction of the diagnostic values in comparison to the set ofpredetermined normal values; and an icon configured to indicate varyinglevels of relative health of a patient and positioned on the graphicaldepiction of the diagnostic values, wherein the video image includes thediagnostic values being displayed relatively closer to a portion of thedisplay in response to the diagnostic values being relatively closer tovalues of the set of predetermined normal values.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein the icon includes a value indicating the diagnosticvalues of a health of the patient.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the video image further comprises a video depiction of thevalues having a dependency on a location within the display to indicatethe comparison to the set of predetermined normal values.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the video image is sectioned into aplurality of concentric circles with the diagnostic values being locatedaccording to the comparison to the set of predetermined normal values,and the plurality of concentric circles being sectioned further into aplurality of subdivisions, with each subdivision representing anadditional dependency on a predetermined variable.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 10, further comprising at least one of coloring and shadingdifferent regions of the video image according to a deviation from theset of predetermined normal values.
 15. The apparatus of claim 10,further comprising dividing different regions of the video imageaccording to a set range of deviations from the set of predeterminednormal values.
 16. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprisingaltering the video image according to the display of the diagnosticvalues as compared to the set of predetermined normal values.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the video image includes a plurality oficons each representing a particular type of diagnostic value of thediagnostic values and the diagnostic values being displayed adjacent tothe respective icons, and the icons and the diagnostic values beingmoved around a concentric circle at a same distance from a center of theconcentric circle in order to not overlap a displayed image of the iconand related diagnostic value.
 18. A system for displaying a set ofdiagnostic values from a patient, the system comprising: a means forreceiving the set of diagnostic values; a means for comparing the set ofdiagnostic values with a set of predetermined normal values; a means fordisplaying a video image having a graphical depiction of the set ofdiagnostic values in comparison to the set of predetermined normalvalues; and an icon configured to indicate varying levels of relativehealth of the patient and positioned on the graphical depiction of theset of diagnostic values, wherein the video image includes the set ofdiagnostic values of the patient being displayed relatively closer to aportion of the means for displaying in response to the set of diagnosticvalues being relatively closer in value to the set of predeterminednormal values.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the icon includes avalue indicating diagnostic values of health of the patient.
 20. Thesystem of claim 18, wherein the video image further comprises a videodepiction of the values having a dependency on a location within themeans for displaying to indicate the comparison to the set ofpredetermined normal values.